Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Have Skin Goals? Here Are 3 Ways To Set Yourself Up For Success in 2017

Every year in January, conversations turn to resolutions and goals. Have some for your skin? Whether you want to commit to a simple, healthy skin routine or go for some serious changes, here are a few quick goal-setting tips to move you towards your best skin in 2017.

Prioritize.
What would you like to change about your skin? Do you know how you would answer? (Hint: "everything" is probably not the best answer.) Your skin therapist can help you design a roadmap to prioritize what to tackle first.

For example, you may want to get on an anti-aging protocol but also address dry irritated skin. Dry irritated skin will age faster, but if the barrier damage or irritation isn't addressed and repaired first, performance ingredients could have trouble penetrating, be irritating, or the results unimpressive.

Another example is acne and pigmentation. It's important to address the breakout first and then worry about any scarring or pigmentation. Treating the dark spots, without treating the cause can become a frustrating cycle.

Getting the picture? The good news is, there are plenty of multifunctional products that do more than one thing at a time, but prioritizing what needs to be tackled first will give you the most noticeable impact.Know yourself (and your budget).
How much time do you have for your AM and PM skin care routine? Some protocols will require more diligence than others. Only have 2 minutes max in the evening? You'll want to rethink that 5-step routine or that home care device that will require a time commitment over 6-8 weeks to start seeing a result. The same goes for your budget. Your skin therapist can help you spend money where it counts, find you a realistic home care routine, and get the most bang for your buck.

Be realistic and use your resources (that'd be me!)
Change takes time. While some differences can be seen in 2-3 weeks, noticeable, significant changes can take 2-4 months. So ask! It is also important to remember that there are limitations to what can be achieved with products and in the treatment room. There are things that can only be addressed in a dermatologist's or plastic surgeon's office. Your skin therapist should know the difference, and have a trusted referral for you in these cases.

A final thought: it's always easier to maintain a healthy skin than to reverse and repair. Like how your skin is doing? Ask the best way to maintain it!